Martha Washington Park

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HOURS

6 a.m. - sunset

ABOUT THE PARK

Martha Washington Park is a beautiful expanse of green lawn, trees, and waterfront - a great place to bring your picnic blanket and frisbee.

On a clear day, you can catch a glimps of Mount Rainier as you lounge under a tree and look out over Lake Washington.

HISTORY

Pioneer E. A. Clark, who was Seattle’s third schoolteacher, first owned the grounds of Martha Washington Park. The property changed hands several times until Everett Smith, who was later to serve for 22 years on the Superior Court, purchased it in 1889.

Smith built a youth camp on the site with help from the YMCA, and carved a hollow stairway for the children in an enormous Madrona tree.

In 1920, Judge Smith sold the property to the School District, which built the Martha Washington School for Girls.

In 1957, the State of Washington took over the site, and the grounds were sold to the City in 1972.